Nicholas Mavroules Nicholas James Mavroules was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Massachusetts, serving the 6th district. He was born in Peabody, Massachusetts, November 1, 1929; and graduated from Peabody High School. Nicholas was employed by GTE-Sylvania, 1949-1967, and served as supervisor of personnel. He was then elected a city councilor in Peabody, Massachusetts from 1958-1965. Mavroules was elected mayor of Peabody, MA in 1966 and served from 1967-1978. In 1975 was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in New York City that nominated President Jimmy Carter. Nicholas Mavroules was elected as a Democrat to the 96th and to the six succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1979-January 3, 1993). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection to the One Hundred Third Congress in 1992.

Mavroules was voted out in 1992, the year he was indicted amid a federal investigation into alleged misuse of his office for private gain. Allegations included accepting illegal gifts and failing to report them on congressional disclosure and income tax forms.

Mavroules pleaded guilty in April 1993 and was sentenced to a 15-month prison term.

At his sentencing, he told the judge: "I certainly apologize to my family and they have endured enormous, enormous pain. I apologize to my friends who have been loyal, strong, very steadfast. I totally accept responsibility for my actions."

He died on Christmas morning December 25, 2003, in Salem, Mass. and was buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody, Mass. Over 5,000 people attended his wake and funeral which was held at Saint Vasilious Greek Orthodox church in Peabody. Several members of Congress (former and current) attended the services.

In 1978, Nick Mavroules would be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, serving the 6th Congressional District of Massachusetts for 14 years. But it was in the 1980s, serving on the Armed Services Committee, where he would have his greatest impact. The decade began with the inauguration of Ronald Reagan as the 40th President of the United States. It ended when the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, followed by the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991--ending communist rule in Russia. Along the way there were discussions of human rights in Central America, nuclear disarmament, Pentagon accountability, and the morale and welfare of U.S. troops. In the course of his service, he would join and lead the debate--both in the nation's capital and on the North Shore--about the direction and course of our nation. The debate would take Nick to many places:

1981: Visit with U.S. forces in Germany. 1982: Northern Ireland. 1983: Two trips to Beirut, Lebanon. The first to spend July 4 with the troops; the second to lead an Armed Services Committee investigative team after 283 U.S. Marines were killed in a terrorist bombing during a peacekeeping mission at the Beirut International Airport. In the Committee's final report of December 1983, he would write, ``A war of terrorism has begun and is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. 1985: A session with U.S. negotiators in Geneva--center of talks with the Soviet Union on nuclear weapons. He would meet with President Reagan in the Oval Office after this trip. 1986: San Salvador, El Salvador. A meeting with the Jesuit's at the University of Central America--priests would later be assassinated in their rectory. 1987: Baghdad, Iraq; Kuwait City; Taif, Saudi Arabia: An inspection delegation to review the security of U.S. forces in the Persian Gulf during the Iran-Iraq war. Most notable was a vigorous session in Baghdad with the Foreign Minister of Iraq, Tariq Aziz, on Iraq's use of chemical weapons in its war with Iran. 1988: As an emissary of the U.S. State Department, Nick engaged in a private dialogue with Greek Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou, providing a framework that produced the current U.S.-Greece agreement on military bases. 1989: Appointment to the House Select Committee on Intelligence, performing oversight of the CIA and other elements of the intelligence community. Nick's input: to require that intelligence be accessible to the U.S. forces deployed and at risk. During this time, he was also engaged in the significant legislative work on national security that included:

The 1986 Defense Reorganization--the Goldwater-Nichols Act--that fundamentally restructured military command and control--so that troops serving in high-threat combat and peacekeeping missions--would have a responsive and dynamic military chain of command. Implementation of the Packard Commission recommendations to reform Pentagon acquisition practices. Legislation that limited the deployment of nuclear ballistic missiles, and ensuring that missile defense technology be treaty compliant.

Funding for the Navy's F-18 fighter, powered by GE engines from Lynn, Massachusetts. Twenty years later the F-18 remains as the backbone of Naval Aviation; The Small Disadvantaged Business Act that allowed more American citizens to compete in government contracting. In Washington, Mavroules served as chairman of the House subcommittee on investigations, helped expose major cost overruns on Navy aircraft and shed light on the deadly 1989 explosion on the USS Iowa.

Throughout his service in Congress, his colleagues were, from Massachusetts: Senators Ted Kennedy, Paul Tsongas and John Kerry, Speaker Tip O'Neill, Joe Moakley, Ed Markey and Jim Shannon, Barney Frank and Joe Kennedy.

This article incorporates facts obtained from the public domain Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.